The breathtaking white sand beaches of Anna Maria Island have made it one of the most coveted tourist destinations in Florida. Perfect for families, couples, and large groups, the island has plenty to offer.
Spend peaceful afternoons swimming and sunning at the beach or take a day trip around the island to spot some of Florida’s most varied and interesting wildlife.
However, you choose to fill your days, be sure to leave some time for one of Anna Maria’s unforgettable boat tours.
A boat tour around the island will give you the chance to spot some of the area’s adorable dolphins and colorful marine life, plus you’ll get some absolutely stunning photos of the unparalleled Florida sunset over the island. With plenty of boat trips to choose from, it’s important you pick the right one for you. Here are a few of our top picks of the very best Anna Maria boat tours.
Paradise Boat Tours
Paradise Boat Tours offers a narrated wildlife Intracoastal tour. At 90 minutes, this is the perfect tour for families. Almost every trip will spot a few dolphins, and many trips spy manatee, rays and other classic Florida wildlife.
This tour leaves six times a day from Bradenton Beach at 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, and at sunset. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink on the tour, and if you have a big group, you can enquire about booking a private tour.
Spice Sailing Charters
The Spice Sailing Charters tours sail through Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll love hopping aboard the Zig Zag, a 30-foot Catalina Yacht. With its spacious cockpit and its gorgeous, classic features, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.
Choose between a 2.5-hour or a 4-hour private cruise with Captain Ed. We recommend booking a sunset tour so you can take in the gorgeous views as the sun slips beyond the horizon. The trip leaves from Bimini Bay in central Anna Maria Island and sails all-around gorgeous Tampa Bay.
Island Pearl Excursions
With four vessels in operation, Island Pearl Excursions will be a fantastic option for a group of any size. You’ll choose whether you’d like a dolphin watching tour, a sunset cruise or a fishing tour, so you’re bound to find the perfect option for your group.
Plan Your Visit
You and your family are sure to be comfortable and content in one of our stunning homes – they are the perfect place to call home while enjoying all that the island and its surrounding waters have to offer!
These tours depart from Bradenton Beach Marina and tour the stunning Sarasota Bay. Try the Circle Island tour to see all of Anna Maria Island and all of its varied wildlife. Or, try the Island Pearl Sunset Cruise, a 2-hour adventure that lets you take in gorgeous Florida from the tranquility of a small boat.
MV Minnow Boat Tours
The MV Minnow Boat Tours promises to get you up close and personal with Anna Maria’s famous dolphins. This laid-back cruise will show you the best of the tropical paradise that is Anna Maria Island. Captain Frank Jones prides himself on giving a personalized and relaxed afternoon aboard his spacious vessel.
Captain Jones specializes in the Egmont Key excursion, which takes passengers to the Egmont Key State Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Here, you’ll get the chance to see the park’s historic monuments, peaceful gardens, and plentiful wildlife, including tortoises, hummingbirds, and seabirds. If you’d prefer to go looking for dolphins or you’re after a sunset cruise, MV Tours offers these cruises as well.
Vacation Rentals on Anna Maria Island
We have a wide range of Anna Maria rentals that will be the ideal oasis for your family during your trip to the island. Our rentals in Anna Maria come with updated, modern furnishings, plenty of luxurious amenities and gorgeous oceanfront views.
If you’re hoping to bring along your four-legged family member, have a look at our Anna Maria island pet-friendly rentals.
